-LRB- CNN -RRB- -- Ernie Els protege Branden Grace will take a four-shot lead into the final round of the Dunhill Links Championship at St Andrews as he bids for a remarkable fourth European Tour win this season .

The 24-year-old South African is yet another graduate of the foundation run by this year 's British Open champion Els and has enjoyed a purple patch in 2012 .

He shot a three-under 69 at Carnoustie , the toughest of the three courses used in the tournament , to go to 20-under 196 after three rounds .

Els , who shot a 65 at St Andrews , is 12 shots adrift and believes Grace has the make of a major champion .

`` He 's good enough to win an Open -- he 's that good , '' Els told the European Tour website .

`` I remember winning the -LRB- 2007 -RRB- South African Open and he was top amateur , '' he added .

`` He 's always been a quality player and he 's a world contender now . ''

Dane Thorbjorn Olesen is Grace 's nearest challenger on 16-under , with Swedes Fredrik Andersson Hed and Alex Noren in third spot on 15-under .

Ryder Cup stars Martin Kaymer and Peter Hanson just made the cut on six and five under respectively but home hero Paul Lawrie missed out .

American Dustin Johnson , who won all three of his matches at Medinah , was on the same mark as Kaymer .

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Branden Grace leads Dunhill Links Championship

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Takes a four-shot lead into final round at St Andrews

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Earns plaudits from fellow South African Ernie Els

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Dane Thorbjorn Olesen nearest challenger